Nottingham Forest did not make the best use of the loan market last season, and the club is yet to recruit any temporary players this summer.
Alex Moreno has been linked with a loan move to Forest, and one of two things might happen before the transfer window ends.
Last season, however, was a fiasco, with none of the club’s loan projects having any significant impact on Forest’s season.
With that in mind, it may seem surprising that Forest are on the verge of signing one of the players who joined on loan last summer.
Nottingham Forest are likely to sign Gonzalo Montiel.
The Argentine defender was busy winning the Copa America with Argentina this summer, adding to his World Cup medal.
According to journalist Fernando Serrano, Forest are close to re-signing Montiel on a permanent contract.
The Reds will pay roughly £7 million for the player’s signature, plus a couple of million in add-ons.
Montiel spent the 2023/24 season at the City Ground and struggled to find a steady role in the club.
He didn’t play much under Steve Cooper, implying he wasn’t a signing approved by the head coach, but he did get several chances under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Montiel’s greatest two performances came in December, when the team defeated Newcastle 3-1 and Manchester United 2-1.
In 19 appearances, he had three assists for Forest, and it appeared that the club was not interested in signing him permanently.
However, something appears to have changed, as the Reds are now hoping to bring him back to Nottingham on a permanent basis.
Montiel would be the most disappointing signing of the summer thus far.
In our opinion, this feels like a lazy signing to some extent.
For starters, Forest has Neco Williams and Eric da Silva Moreira who can play right back, but a left back is most likely required.
All of the players signed so far have been joined, and they all suit the profile of players who will improve and retain resale value over time.
Montiel is only 27, and in the short term, he could be a valuable addition to the roster this season.
However, it is fair to say that Montiel did not wow anyone during his time at Forest, and there are certainly better options available.
The Argentine appears to be on the verge of joining Forest, and fans’ concerns are understandable.
Forest must ensure that the final pieces of the jigsaw are in place, and that the recruitment team is focused only on showing their worth this summer.
